Facing Paimon's request for secrecy, both nodded in agreement.
Mualani was about to ask Atea how she felt when she saw Atea, who had recovered, suddenly touching her stomach.
"Mualani, did you bring anything to eat? I suddenly feel very hungry, and I think I really need some energy replenishment."
Hearing Atea call out that she was hungry, Mualani's taut heartstrings finally completely relaxed, and she even couldn't help but burst into tears of joy.
"Seriously, I just finished fighting the Abyss, how am I supposed to find you something to eat?" She thought Atea was joking with her to ease the tension of the moment.
Meanwhile, Lumine took out a lot of food, as she had plenty stored in her backpack, precisely so she wouldn't have to eat dry rations while traveling.
At the same time, Lumine analyzed, "Atea single-handedly sealed the Abyssal Gate earlier, consuming a lot of elemental energy.
And Paimon's healing should also require her own energy to participate, which is why she suddenly felt hungry.
However, it's best to find a doctor later to confirm her condition, as Paimon doesn't have professional knowledge; she just used some of her abilities."
Paimon seemed a bit unconvinced, "What do you mean? Baizhu and Zhongli both praised my abilities; even Xiao's karma was no problem. Dealing with this little bit of Abyssal power is easy-peasy, isn't it?"
Paimon then changed the subject, "But, it's good to have a doctor check again, so everyone can feel more at ease."
At this moment, Hikueru and Malokao also found the tribe's doctor and rushed together to the abandoned hot spring.
Seeing Atea eating as if nothing had happened, and Mualani and the others laughing nearby,
the two fell into contemplation, as when they saw Atea earlier, she was still surrounded by Abyssal energy.
The aura seemed to be overflowing from her body, but now she seemed perfectly fine.
The accompanying tribal doctors were also a bit bewildered; didn't they say Atea was severely injured and desperately needed treatment?
This shouldn't be the scene right now!
Moreover, Hikueru and Malokao shouldn't be joking about such a serious matter.
Out of their duty as doctors, they still performed a physical examination on Atea.
One could only say that Atea's body was incredibly well now, even though the last examination showed Atea's internal organs were ravaged by Abyssal energy, like a flickering candle in the wind.
And she had asked him to help conceal her physical condition, not wanting those around her to know.
But now, this healthy body showed no sign of being eroded by Abyssal energy; she was perfectly healthy from head to toe.
The only thing was that her body was slightly weak, feeling as if she hadn't eaten for a long time.
Looking at the doctor's furrowed brows, Mualani's heart instantly jumped to her throat, thinking, 'Atea won't still be in trouble, will she?' But she didn't want to disturb the doctor.
Lumine and Paimon also exchanged glances, understanding each other's meaning.
'Paimon, your ability... is it okay? Is this Abyssal erosion more troublesome than karma?'
Paimon also felt her heart pounding, 'No... that's impossible! Xiao's karma was clearly...'
Atea looked at everyone's worried, frightened, or puzzled expressions and said with a smile, "Alright, I'm really fine now. I can clearly feel my body, it's like it's been reborn."
Hearing this, Mualani's suspended heart finally dropped heavily, and she let out a long sigh of relief, looking at Paimon with eyes full of gratitude.
Lumine also secretly gave Paimon a big thumbs up.
At this moment, the tribal doctor of the Fontainians also spoke, "It's so strange. I felt your body was on the verge of collapse during the last examination. How did you suddenly get better?"
His words caused a huge shock in everyone present, especially Mualani, who spoke with a slight tremor in her voice.
"Aunt Atea! You... why didn't you tell us about your body before..."
Thinking about how Atea had suddenly dared to go to the hot spring recently, Mualani knew something was off, but she was still more willing to believe that Atea's health had improved.
She never expected that Atea had actually realized her time was short and wanted to enjoy herself more in her final days.
The tribal doctor's gaze was fixed on Atea, filled with inquiry and a hint of barely perceptible eagerness.
He knew too well what this meant. If he could master this method of healing severe Abyssal erosion,
how many warriors struggling on the brink of death among the Fontainians, and even throughout Natlan, would be reborn!
The pressure of fighting the Abyss would be greatly reduced!
Atea met the doctor's gaze, then looked at the worried Mualani, Lumine, and Paimon, as well as the hopeful Hikueru and Malokao beside her.
She also understood this principle, but she also understood that Natlan's struggle against the Abyss fundamentally depended on the people of Natlan themselves, not on forcibly binding friends who brought hope onto the battlefield.
She calmly spoke, "Perhaps... I've had some fortunate encounters recently. Besides, the injury just now wasn't as terrible as they saw."
"Mualani was worried sick, and Hikueru and Malokao ran to find you without even understanding the situation."
She skillfully avoided the core issue.
The doctor wanted to say something more, but Atea had already stood up, her tone gentle but unyielding.
"Alright, I'm really fine. Everyone, check the surroundings again for any stray monsters, and then go rest. Tomorrow, our hot spring party cannot be delayed."
She took the lead and walked out of the hot spring area.
The tribal doctor looked at Atea's retreating figure and understood her persistence. As one of the most respected Candle Keepers of the tribe, her choice deserved respect.
He silently nodded and stopped pressing the matter.
Everyone patrolled the surroundings again and found no Abyssal monsters, so they prepared to go back and rest.
On the way, Paimon couldn't help but exclaim, "Today was truly exceptionally fulfilling!"
Then she let out a big yawn, "But I really can't take it anymore; I feel like I'm going to fall asleep while flying. I must get enough sleep when I get back later."
Lumine looked at Paimon's sleepy little appearance, finding it both amusing and endearing.
Although Paimon didn't directly fight, she scouted all the way, was constantly worried, and finally saved Atea; she was indeed exhausted.
"Come on, Paimon," Lumine reached out her hand, "I'll carry you. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll take you to eat something delicious."
The three words "something delicious" seemed to have magic, making the drowsy Paimon's eyes instantly brighten a few shades.
"You promised! Tomorrow, I'm going to properly try the Fontainians' cuisine! I also want to eat the cookies Atea bakes! I only had a little bit last time at the hot spring and didn't get enough!"
Atea, hearing this from the side, smiled and said, "Okay, tomorrow, however many cookies you want, I'll bake for you. At the hot spring party, you must have a blast."
The next day, Lumine and Paimon woke up very late, but even so, it didn't delay the hot spring party.
After all, after experiencing a fierce battle last night, the party time was naturally postponed.
People at the party celebrated to their heart's content, dispelling the gloom of the previous night with laughter.
Paimon also ate from south to north, trying all the grilled meat and snacks.
Atea called Lumine and Mualani out.
Paimon didn't follow; she was engrossed in watching people's joyful dance steps to aid digestion, as if others dancing was equivalent to her dancing herself.
The three walked to a slightly distant spot, where the lively sounds of the party faintly reached them.
Atea looked at Lumine, her gaze sincere and profound: "I am very, very grateful to Paimon for saving me. I will remember this kindness in my heart."
She changed the subject, her tone becoming solemn, "But I hope that in the future, you will try to use this ability as little as possible in front of others."
"Natlan's war with the Abyss is long and cruel. I don't want to see you bound by moral ropes at a high place, losing your freedom of choice."
She took out the amulet, which was old but contained a warm luster, and handed it to Lumine and Mualani respectively.
"This is the amulet that has accompanied me my entire life. If there's a chance... please help me give it to Mavuika." Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible etherealness.
"The Abyss is becoming more and more restless... no one knows when we will meet again."
Finally, she turned to Mualani, her eyes filled with satisfaction and expectation: "Mualani, I am very happy. Not only to see that you can stand on your own, but more gratifyingly, that you can unite everyone."
She opened her arms and gave Mualani a warm and firm hug, "Next... it's up to you young people."
Mualani hugged Atea back tightly, her voice choked but incredibly firm: "Yes! Aunt Atea, we will definitely not disappoint you!"
Atea released her embrace, a gentle smile reappearing on her face: "I told you not to keep calling me 'Aunt'; you're making me sound old."
"Alright, let's go back together. Our party time isn't much longer."